Perodua to add fourth model – long-awaited sedan?

Perodua president and CEO, Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh, has hinted at a new, fourth model that could soon join the firm’s range. As sales of its new Axia model goes through the roof, Perodua is looking to further capitalise on the momentum, Aminar stating that “three models in the line-up are simply not sufficient,” Bernama reports.

Despite the lack of details when pushed for more, it’s common knowledge that Perodua has been eyeing the compact sedan genre for quite some time now. It first tested the waters with the introduction of two concepts in the form of the Perodua Bezza back in 2010 and more recently, with the Perodua Buddyz in 2013.

The potential sedan has even been rendered a number of times by Theophilus Chin – the latest being today’s Myvi-based iteration. In a paultan.orgexclusive interview, it was revealed that a potential Perodua sedan will not be derived from any Toyota/Daihatsu sedan model, instead being completely designed from the ground-up in Malaysia. The concept’s chief designer, Muhammad Zamuren Musa, had said that “locals know the local needs best” when demonstrating the Buddyz’s immense boot.

How successful would Perodua’s first attempt at a compact sedan be? Do let us know what you think in the comments below.

An “actor” by training, Gregory Sze realised that he has had enough of drama in his life. Following his number one passion (acting was actually number two), he decided to make the jump into the realm of automotive journalism. He appreciates the simple things in life – a simple car with nothing but back-to-basics mechanical engineering and minimal electronics on board.

Perodua Sedan alone will need entire factory to be produced due to high demand 100k units per year. Perodua should buy Proton Shah Alam factory or lease contract it from Proton. Do not waste big factory to produce low volume low sales cars eg.Iriz, Preve, Suprima.

Still seeing some savvy on the road, the yellow ugly van (jaguh) is also seen at night market, although rarely seen arena. Not really die-hard fans of proton, but sir, your argument is invalid about the cars survival

The old proton u mean? Back in the days, Proton was in the same situation as the P2 today. Their rebadge saga was overwhelm in bookings. But P1 started to fall in sales when they introduced their own, build from the ground up Waja. It takes them almost 15 years to recoup and with good platform like the Iriz. Next gen Saga and Persona will also be built from the Iriz platform. All i can say is goodluck to P2.

Dream on. If Proton close shop, there will only be Perodua left making affordable cars, and their cars are unrefined death traps in comparison. Do you think the government wants to give up the tax income? It’s used to benefit the people… fix roads (once in a while, before elections), healthcare, buy expensive apartments in New York, … You would still be paying 70-100k for a foreign B segment sedan, just that you don’t have the 40k local alternative. No choice, have to spend a lot. And without competition they can raise the price even further.

And even if they cut the car taxes… the day that happens GST will go to 20%.

My prediction : An ugly-looking sedan, more kontot than the current Saga. At best it will look like the Swift Dzire.

Features wise it will be slightly better than the current Saga, meaning 2010-era specs. 2-4 airbags, ABS, etc. Most likely the same engine, transmission, and other bell and whistles you come to expect from a Myvi.

First batch will have a lot of issues due to having an unproven design since no Daihatsu/Toyota sedan in the low cost segment. No way will the Toyota Keiretsu allow Perodua to cannibalize the Vios market. The Etios is the most likely candidate, but its only been in the Indian market.. which does not inspire confidence.

In short, nothing exciting for a 2016~2017 car. Don’t expect Perodua to introduce cruise control, paddle shifters, or better mechanicals than what they have now. Crossing my fingers for VSC though.

OMG IS THIS FOR REAL !?!?! This is… THE BEST NEWS I’VE EVER HEARD FROM PERODUA. EVER.

So…Perodua… making their own OWN CAR ? Really ? Sure no more tunjuk-ajar from Big Brother Daihatsu and Big Daddy Toyota ? The first true, at least 3/4-majority, Malaysian-designed Perodua ? Powertrain, chassis, body and all ?

Well well, Perodua’s finally listening to our comments. Good. Very good. Even if the upcoming Perodua sedan is not very good (I don’t expect it to be, it’s not an easy task), I have no qualms in pledging my full support for Perodua in their ‘pursuit of independence’.

Until then, Proton will remain the only Malaysian national car in my book.

I dont’ really understand why Perodua needs to build a sedan, something which is outside their core competency zone. They never even built a compact car ground up. Three line up model is already sufficient for a small market like Malaysia, unless if they want to aggressively going global. But then, the demise of its UK sales operations and dismal popularity of its manufactured Sirion in Indonesia speak louder than words.

By looking at the recent MD’s lack of commitment on achieving 5 star ANCAP safety, Perodua is only gunning for the domestic market with little innovation (bumper facelift & cosmetic changes only). Perhaps as long as that would keep its shareholders happy (Daihatsu & UMW directors), Malaysians should put off high hopes of seeing this company progressing with the likes of Honda, which made huge improvements lately.

I actually have lost hopes with the future direction our auto industry. Luckily Paultan.org gives us the right platform to share our common sentiment.

It would be naive to think they would be starting from scratch, our lower volume (even regional) does not justify the R&D costs for a new platform…. something only Proton think is justified.

It will be based on whatever Toyota platform that can be handed down, with same existing power and drivetrains. It wont be groundbreaking, nor the best handling, nor the safest, but that is perhaps what malaysians are looking for, a reliable A-B car.

The biggest challenge for Perodua is how to price it. With the B segment myvi topping out at an absurd 60K, would malaysians buy a B or C sedan at 60 (kosong spec) to 80k?

Because at 70, you are bumping in to the price ranges of the B segment japanese.

Congrats,perodua…..you cant deliver even half the 82,000 units of Axia,but this is a good problem..unlike Protong which find lack of orders for the low end manual 1.3 and premium 1.6 Iriz.
Its embarrasing,just launched in Oct 2014,the Iriz is stagnating in sales now,with CNY discounts of 5-8k.
With this Perodua sedan,it slowly adding more salt to wounded Proton who is sure to slip below the 100,000 units mark this year.
Toyota has overtaken Protong in monthly sales now..much to the delight of Same Loor but to the chagrin of diehard Protong fanboys.
Come April 1,DRB will announce record losses for Protong..to the tune of Rm400-500 Juta.Proton fanboys…I hope you can sleep well and wake up to the reality,Protong is living on borrowed time.

Your excellency Mr.Sawwi,you got very noble intentions but reality is different for the founder.Where to put his face,if he rent out the Shah Alam plant to another manufacturer,especially No.1 competitor Perodua?Protong would rather bite the bullet than dimalu malukan .
By common sense,they should be operating the Tanjung Malim plant alone.Now ,both plants producing only about 50,000 units each.Where is the economy of scale,Protong?
Mark my words…in 2 years time if sales continue to slide,Proton will be insolvent,bankrupt and sold off to a “Tony Fernandez type savior ” for RM 1.Perhaps,Tony should try buying over Proton for Rm 1 with the slogan” NOW EVERYONE CAN DRIVE”

wow so many p1 haterz..come n join me now!! we destroy p1 one and 4 all…dis time p2 or so called japanese DNA-ed car surely will fly highly. stupid mesians got 1 type of ppl obviously hate p1 the most..

Perodua, you better step up your basic safety equipments such as 6 air-bags, stability control and traction control as standard. We are living in a era of 2014 unlike 10 years ago where 2 air-bags, ABS and EBD are considered a luxury equipments for vehicles. Safety equipments like traction control are not considered luxury but a necessity to be safe on the road, especially countries like Malaysia where we experience wet and slippery road conditions all year round.

Agreed. Perodua may lead in sales, but Proton leads in refinement and safety. Its one of the reasons I dislike Perodua, for their lack of innovation and concentration on the domestic market.

Let’s say Perodua is the sole national car maker, selling cheap cars with little innovation, minimal safety features, terrible driving dynamics and since there’s no competition to fuel progress…..they’ll sell for the biggest profit margin with little options for “cheap” (or overpriced for what you get) prices.

And since foreign cars in similar categories cost more, people would of course have to flock to Perodua’s terrible vehicles. You know what this reminds me of? Proton in the late 90s-early 00s. Remember the Waja, Proton’s first in house design? Terrible car built for the masses. At least it got 3 stars in Euro NCAP, which by Malaysian standards at the time were very impressive. But that was UK spec…..

Malaysians need to be accustomed with the idea that safety in their cars are important, and Perodua isn’t helping. Proton is at least trying. Keep up, Perodua, because its time you stop caring only about profits and think of the customers.

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